Kristen Neeley, valedictorian for Jim Elliot Christian High School’s Class of 2011, at Temple Baptist Church in Lodi on Saturday, May 28, 2011.
For Kristen Neeley, four years of hard work has paid off. This week, she walked across the graduation stage as valedictorian of Jim Elliot Christian High School.
“I really tried hard to get good grades. I took all the classes I could to challenge myself,” Neeley said.
Neeley graduated with a 4.2 grade point average earned by taking advanced placement history and calculus classes.
Neeley has always excelled in school, from before she attended middle school at Mokelumne River School and all the way through high school. She was a quick learner, and new subjects came easily.
But when it was time for calculus, she wondered if the complicated math would tarnish her history of perfect grades.
“I’m not used to not getting things right away,” she said.
But Neeley did what she knew to do. She studied harder. Put in extra time needed to grasp the material. And in the end, even conquered calculus.
Neeley’s mother, Michelle Neeley, says her daughter has always been a bright student, and they’ve always expected her to succeed.
“Her dad and I are so proud of everything she’s accomplished … it’s a blessing having her as a daughter,” Michelle Neeley said.
Throughout high school, Neeley enjoyed hanging out with friends, going to the movies, dining out with friends and playing softball.
She felt attending a small school like Jim Elliot — with about 50 seniors in her graduating class — allowed the students to be a part of a tight-knit group.
“It was just a really good environment and a good school,” she said, adding that she thinks the school helps give students morals and character.
One of her favorite high school memories is when the entire school went to a spiritual camp at Jessup Park at the beginning of the year.
Though Neeley will miss her friends and playing softball, she is excited about the future and working toward becoming a lawyer.
For the next two years, Neeley plans to attend Cosumnes River College before transferring to William Jessup, where she wants to major in political science. After that, she plans to go to University of the Pacific’s law school.
Contact Lodi Living Editor Lauren Nelson at laurenn@lodinews.com.
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